Texas Senate Democrat candidate Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX) in 2023 dismissed “rednecks” and non-college educated white Texans as not being a “target” for his campaign during an appearance on the Bulwark podcast, The Next Level, with host Tim Miller. The Bulwark is a Never Trump publication. During the interview, Allred admitted to there being a significant apathy problem among potential voters in the Lone Star State and stated that he aimed to motivate more of them to participate in elections.
Miller remarked that many of these unengaged voters are “non-college whites,” implying that they aren’t considered Allred’s target demographic. The congressman agreed, asserting that not all of these individuals would vote for a Democrat.
Approximately 11.5 million white Texans inhabit the state, and around 34% have obtained a bachelor’s degree. On September 7, Allred is scheduled to appear on another live recording of the Bulwark podcast at this year’s Texas Tribune Festival, where Miller will discuss Allred’s Senate candidacy.
Allred’s recent comments seem at odds with his earlier statements emphasizing unity among Texans based on shared values. In August, he expressed a desire to unite people regardless of political affiliations: “I don’t see a Democrat or Republican. I just see a Texan, and I think that I want to have a conversation with Texans about where I think we can go together.
Similarly, in November 2023, Allred stated, “There’s much more that unites us as Texans than divides us… In the Senate I’ll be a uniter, not a divider.” Despite this, Allred has been affiliated with leftist radio host Dean Obeidallah, having given interviews to him in May 2023 and June 2024.
During the interview with Obeidallah in June, Allred downplayed the issue of crime committed by illegal aliens, a stance that contrasts sharply with Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), who has introduced legislation aimed at improving the tracking of such individuals entering the United States. The Justice for Jocelyn Act is one such bill proposed by Cruz in response to the tragic case of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungary, who was reportedly sexually assaulted and strangled to death by two illegal aliens.
Allred’s history of criticizing ICE as “un-American” and describing the border wall as “stupid” and “racist” demonstrates his unfavorable stance on immigration enforcement. He has even gone so far as to threaten to call the police on a citizen journalist rather than answer a question from the media.
Furthermore, Allred’s civil rights activism is said to have been influenced by his mentor, professor Haney Lopez, one of the founders of critical race theory. This connection raises questions about the true nature of Allred’s political intentions and his commitment to unity among Texans.